AUGUSTA — House District 94 Representative Vicki Doudera, D-Camden, testified Tuesday before the Joint Committee on Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry to introduce a bill to ban the nerve agent pesticide chlorpyrifos, “proven to cause brain damage in children and known to harm the environment and wildlife,” according to a news release. 

Chlorpyrifos is most commonly used on crops such as cranberries, apples and broccoli, on Christmas trees and wreaths, and on golf courses and in greenhouses, the release noted. 

LD 316, An Act To Prohibit the Use of Chlorpyrifos, would end the use of chlorpyrifos in Maine beginning in 2022, allowing limited exemptions for one year.

This time period, the release noted, allows for a gradual phasing out of the substance for farmers who have already purchased it.

“Study after study shows that chlorpyrifos damages the developing brains of children, causing decreased cognitive function, developmental delays, and learning disorders, and causes serious health problems in those who have been exposed to it,” said Rep. Doudera, in her testimony. “LD 316 offers an opportunity to protect Maine’s farm families, environment, agricultural workforce, and food system from a dangerous pesticide that can have lifelong negative impacts.”

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency banned indoor use of chlorpyrifos in 2000, the release noted.

In 2015, EPA scientists who had studied the pesticide recommended the 2000 ban be extended for outdoor use, per the release. That decision was reversed under the Trump administration. 

Since then, five states, beginning with Hawaii in 2018, have instituted either full or partial prohibitions on chlorpyrifos, the release noted.

Maine could be the first state in New England to join the group if Rep. Doudera’s bill becomes law.

“There are non-toxic and less toxic alternatives to chlorpyrifos,” Rep. Doudera noted, adding the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association, who testified in favor of the bill, has been a leader in the state and in the nation in advancing alternatives to chemicals like chlorpyrifos. “This stuff is so bad, why would we continue allowing its use? We know chlorpyrifos causes reduced IQ and delayed motor development in our kids, poisons our water, contaminates our food chain, and threatens the existence of birds, bees, fish, and other animals and plants.”

The Legislature’s Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Committee will vote on the measure in the coming weeks. 

In addition to Rep. Doudera’s sponsorship of the bill, the bill is cosponsored by Rep. Lori Gramlich of Old Orchard Beach, Rep. Nicole Grohoski of Ellsworth, Sen. Chloe Maxmin of Lincoln County, Sen. David Miramant of Knox County, Rep. Margaret O’Neil of Saco, Rep. Laurie Osher of Orono and Rep. Sarah Pebworth of Blue Hill.